Almost 50% of Ontarians Watching Sunday’s Super Bowl Will Be Betting

Posted on: February 5, 2025, 03:43h. 

Last updated on: February 5, 2025, 03:43h.

Mark Keast Read More
Expertise: Canadian Gaming, iGaming, Las Vegas, Sports Betting, NFL, Boxing, UFC.

A quick scan of notable bets at BetMGM for Sunday’s Super Bowl shines a spotlight on some of the wildness we see this time of year.

A study released by the Responsible Gambling Council says half of Ontario’s watching the Super Bowl will be betting on the game. Image/Unsplash.

$800k Wager Stands Out

The Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans, with the game scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m. EST. Someone based in the U.S. put down $800,000 on Eagles +110. Another person bet $300,000 on the Chiefs -130. Other notable bets seen so far includes $125,000 on Chiefs-Eagles Under 49.5, and $25,000 on Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce +1500 to win Super Bowl MVP.

Taylor Swift Prop

Eagles moneyline is the most popular Super Bowl bet, according to BetMGM. The coin toss is the most popular prop bet – 53% so far on “Heads”. There’s even a Taylor Swift prop – “Will Travis propose to Taylor?” The “no” at -2000 is seeing 95% of the handle. That prop is only available in Ontario.

Same with “Super Bowl MVP Mentions” – “Teammates” at +325 is seeing 40% of tickets, while “God/Religious Figure” is getting 84% of the handle.

A spokesperson from Ontario’s PROLINE tells us 53% of players are siding on the Chiefs’ moneyline (-120), 58% backing the Eagles spread at +1.5, with 81% taking the Over of 48.5.

Massive Level Ontario Betting

GeoComply reports that during the 2024/25 NFL season, active sports betting accounts surged 20.2% compared to last season. The expansion of regulated betting markets in the U.S. and Canada is bringing more fans into the legal ecosystem.

A study released by the Toronto-based Responsible Gambling Council (RGC) puts betting interest in the game among Ontarians in clear perspective.

The survey showed that a majority of Ontarians plan to watch Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles (63%), and 48% will place a wager on the game.

The online survey of 1,147 Ontarians over the age of 18 was conducted between Nov. 22 and Dec. 6, 2024.

10% Surveyed Bet to Make Up for Losses

The objective of the RGC study is to shine a light on the risks and the number of people who lose control when they gamble, especially on a mammoth event like the Super Bowl, plus offer tips to put a plan together to bet responsibly – such as pre-setting betting limits before you play, and only gambling with money you can afford to lose.

“Gambling is random but your plan shouldn’t be,” says Sarah McCarthy, the new CEO of RGC, in a written statement. “Perceived knowledge of the game, persuasive advertising, and substance use can all influence how we gamble.

A smart plan includes being mindful of the illusion of control and remembering that even with sports expertise, understanding the game, players or stats won’t boost your chances of predicting a random outcome.”

Highlights of the Study

  • Over a third of Ontario adults (35%) have placed a bet after seeing an ad on TV. That number goes up when surveying populations considered more at-risk for problem gambling, RGC said in a statement – including those under age 44 (42%) as well as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) individuals (44%).
  • Nearly two-thirds think their knowledge of sports and the time they spend studying outcomes gives them an edge (67%). That’s especially true among men aged 18-44 (70%).
  • Fifty-five per cent said they will bet $100 or less, 19% will bet between $101 and $500, while 8% plan to bet more than $500.
  • 48% said the main reason they bet on the Super Bowl is to win money
  • 47% said the main reason they bet on the game is that it adds excitement to the game
  • 22% said they bet because they are knowledgeable about the team and players
  • 20% because they feel confident about their chances of winning
  • 18% because their favorite team or player is playing
  • 10% bets in an attempt to make up for last year’s losses

That last bullet point is something RGC is concerned about, as is the one that says 25% of respondents often feel anger or frustration when they lose a bet. More encouragingly, though, more people are saying they won’t bet if they feel stress (25%) while 21% say they won’t bet if they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Setting Limits on Play

While knowledge and skill does inform a bet, it doesn’t guarantee a win. The misconception that one can accurately predict an outcome can lead to over confidence that their knowledge will give them an advantage and ultimately, a win. This is known as the illusion of control,” the RGC statement read.